While man attends Kumbh, house robbed of Rs 1 crore

Police said the victim, Borivli resident Shivmani Mishra (50), had left the city with his family on January 28 to attend a wedding function in UP and had subsequently decided to take a dip in the Ganges on the occasion of the Maha Kumbh. The burglary came to notice when he returned yesterday.

Borivli police inspect the bungalow of businessman Shivmani Mishra, which was broken into while he was out of station. Pic/Nayan Shahane

The needle of suspicion, according to the cops, points to the car cleaner, a Nepali citizen, who is untraceable since the incident was reported. A special police team has been formed to trace the suspect, who cops believe has crossed the border. Borivli police said the break-in took place at Matruchaya bungalow, plot 30 on Ambedkar Road in Gorai-2 Borivli (West). They suspect the burglar entered the bungalow by breaking the lock of the first-floor bedroom door.

The complainant reported that three kilograms of gold, Rs 6 lakh cash, a licensed revolver and six live rounds collectively valued at Rs 1 crore were taken from the house. According to the police, Shivmani owns more than 25 petrol pumps in the city, and his son’s father-in-law is Samajwadi Party MLA Vijay Mishra. He had gone to attend the wedding reception of the MLA’s son on January 31, with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. They had not kept a watchman, security guard or caretaker at the bungalow in their absence.

“There is no CCTV surveillance in and around the area. The burglars broke the locker on the first-floor bedroom and took all the gold. Dog squad and finger print experts are trying to get leads. We are making queries with the watchmen and guards posted in the vicinity,” said Additional Commissioner Sunil Paraskar (north region). Zonal DCP Mahesh Patil also visited the spot.

Mishra returned home with his family at 2 am on Monday only to find his bungalow’s main door broken. “I went inside and saw everything ransacked. The burglars had broken into all three bedrooms and took apart the cupboards and other furniture. Clothes were scattered everywhere,” said Shivmani. “When we entered, all lights were switched on and the fridge was left open. Assuming that burglar was still inside, we got hold of four persons from the area and armed them with sticks. However, we realised there was no one inside,” said Mishra.

“Mishra’s neighbours informed us that the car cleaner had even inquired with them about the family’s scheduled date of return from UP,” said a police officer. Police have registered a case against unknown persons under sections 454 (trespass or housebreaking in order to commit offence), 457 (trespass or housebreaking by night) and 380 (theft) of the IPC.